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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will need to raise $100 million over the next 20 months if she hopes to clear the field of serious Democratic challengers, top Democratic operatives say.

“I would think you’d want an eye popping number to clear the field,” said one senior Democratic official. “I think the $100 million commitment would say to potential opponents ‘think before you jump to your death.’”

Clinton herself does not have to raise the cash to clear the field of effective rivals, explains one Clinton insider, “If a super PAC raises $75 million to $125 million in the next two years, that’s formidable and it indicates that there is really strong support [for her].”

Clinton remains among the best-regarded figures in American politics and any potential rival would be forced to spend massive amounts of time and money to compete. But Clinton insiders say she won’t leave anything to chance if she runs, and in preparation, neither are they.

In the first quarter of 2007 Clinton reported a fundraising total of $36 million, including a $10 million transfer from her Senate campaign. She was ahead of then-Sen. Barack Obama, but not by much — he had raised nearly $26 million, almost entirely from individual donors.

Now, Clinton backers and Democratic operatives agree she or allies would need to raise multiples of that figure to clear the field of serious challengers in 2016 — and a year earlier. More than a half-dozen senior Democratic officials and Hillary confidants puts the goal at roughly $100 million by the end of 2014, a marker no other Democrat could approach so soon.

“We’ve learned our lesson,” said the Clinton insider.

Supporters are ready to begin fundraising through the super PAC Ready For Hillary. “I’ve told her supporters — get a super PAC and raise a ton of money,” said one top Obama campaign adviser. “That’s how you clear the field.”

And Democrats believe Clinton has the luxury of waiting until mid-2015 to pull the trigger on a presidential run.

“If she announced today she’d probably drop 20 points,” the Clinton insider said. “That’s why she waits, and that’s why the super PAC helps — she can build without being seen.”

Not since 1951 has there been such a strong draft movement in either from the grassroots to the donor class. And unlike with Eisenhower, Clinton confidants are giving their blessing to the effort.

“[Ready for Hillary] in my view is extraordinarily credible,” said the Clinton insider. “It has only Secretary Clinton’s interest at heart.” Former adviser James Carville lent his name to the super PAC for use in a fundraising email last week and fundraiser Harold Ickes is advising the group.

A $100 million goal is now well within reach thanks in part to the Citizens United decision allowing unlimited personal and corporate donors to independent groups.

“This super PAC can line up some major donors and also organize the grassroots — throw some surrogates in and it’s easy,” said one Democratic strategist.

Asked if the target can be hit, the Clinton insider replied simply, “yes.”

One adviser to a potential rival put the figure far lower: “Her entrance into the race all but clears the field,” the adviser said.

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Let us just wait and see how popular Democrats are after the full brunt of Obamacare kicks in. When the majority of "middle-class" enters the "poverty level". The second Amendment is eliminated. Along with the "First". But hey, can she really be as bad as the doofus in the white house now? Really?

No more Lady Clinton. Boycott The woman now obsolete which has helped to deliver the world to the Global Crisis. Please Pension for Lady now. Who wants She back is out of the History and wish the ruin of the USA.

did hillary raising gobbs of money in 2007-2008 keep others from running the last time? and why should she want them too, most pundints would claim that the protracted primary campaign in 2008 actually helped obama in november.

also if you look at the field in 2007-2008 it was one of the most talented presidential fields in recent history which included senators, govenors, blacks, hispanics, women, etc.

also hillary isn't running, all of this bluster is pundints bored for a story until next spring and the midterms.

Seriously can we imagine what $100 Million would do for this country !! Now ask your self how much is it going to cost the other candidates ? Now think what the rest of the world thinks about us . Where oh where does all this money end up in whose pockets............

Hillary is an excellent candidate and I am sure there will be more but why do we have to buy our politicians.............

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Margaret Tacher and Golda Meir were not a woman of no one when it came to politics, Queen Elizabeth came from a line of Queens and kings so that is a different standard, Benazir Bhutto was dimissed for corruption without any noticeable achevement, India would emerge as a major economic power only after Indira Gandhi unprecedented centralisation of power and rule by state of emergency gave way to liberalization and openning of the economy.

@wakeford2 rave on nut job. you have entered the republican twilight zone where obama's black army of kenyan muslims are as i write marching to take your guns and bibles. the chemtrails, the fema camps, black helicopters, and the lizard people are real. head to your bunker and await instructions from the NRA resistance.

However, as co-President 1993-94 she just about ruined her husband's Presidency. All those scandals were hers, and the 80-some unnecessary deaths at Waco were on her watch as she oversaw Justice at that time.

Her 2008 campaign lost a nomination that was hers to win. Even with all the wisdom she should have gained I still don't know if she can effectively manage anything. The book "Game Change" detailed the major Presidential primary and election camapigns; only Obama's was admirable. Hers was a disaster.

Sec of State? She traveled a lot, but I don't see any accomplishments such as the Good Friday agreements pursued by George Mitchell which eventually borught a measure of peace to Northern Ireland.